"We are a nonprofit in the state and can accept donations," Ms. Acksen said.

The Historical Society lost its nonprofit status with the state because it hadn't filed the paperwork for years.

Ms. Acksen said they received notice Oct. 10 from the Secretary of State that their nonprofit status was renewed. She said the fee for the application for the category they obtained is $15 a year.

"We spoke with the state. They were very nice about it," Ms. Acksen said. She said it was "not uncommon" for small nonprofit groups to let something like that lapse.

Asked if the society had refiled recently in response to criticism, Ms. Acksen denied it. She said they started discussing refiling with the state last spring.

"It was already in the works," she said.

Last week, Select Board Chairman Charles Murphy questioned an Historical Society request to hold a program in the Town Hall auditorium. He said the nonprofit status was important if the society was seeking donations from attendees.

Another issue is that the town waives its rental fee for nonprofits using the Town Hall auditorium. The rental fee is $50 a hour with a minimum of $150.

The Historical Society was on the agenda as seeking use of the Town Hall auditorium for a presentation on "Northeast Hurricanes." The society had already found another place to hold the event this Friday, however, — the Council on Aging on Route 6. Ms. Acksen said they had contacted the selectmen's office, but were "exploring several spots," and had arranged to hold it at the COA before selectmen met.

Mr. Murphy said the society can't claim the donations are tax deductible if the organization doesn't have tax exempt status.

Asked if donations will be tax exempt now that they regained their nonprofit status, Ms. Acksen said that while they're a nonprofit again, they don't have the tax exempt status of a 501(c) 3. Thus, donations may not be tax deductible, she said, although she wasn't certain.

Ms. Acksen said they "probably will pursue 501(c)3" status, but, "We don't have a giant amount of income," which is "one reason to go for 501(c)3." She said if they got 501(c)3 status, they could seek larger contributions.

The Historical Society has also faced criticism recently for not announcing when its board meetings are being held so members can attend. Critics said they send their dues in and never hear from the society again.

Anne Kakley, administrative assistant to the Board of Selectmen, has been among those who have criticized the society. She's joined a group calling for the Historical Society's revitalization.

The new group is made up of many familiar names in town, including Christopher Richard, the town's tourism director and a past president of the Historical Society. Some members of the Historical Commission have also joined this new group.

In its literature, the new group urged people not to send their dues into the Historical Society until it reinstated its nonprofit status and was more transparent about it finances.

Ms. Kakley said she sent in dues last year, but except for a "couple of lectures," she never heard anything about meetings. As a result, she said, she did not send any dues in this year.

"It's not personal," Ms. Kakley said. But she said the leadership of the society is "spread too thin." She said, "Somebody needs to step aside and admit they don't have the time."

Ms. Acksen told the Advocate recently that this new group was trying to stage a "coup."

She said they had decided not to have as many events as usual this year after having so many during the town's bicentennial year. She said they knew they wouldn't have the resources after spending so much last year.

Mr. Richard has been at odds with the society for many years over his attempt to share space in the Academy Building, where it has a museum.

Earlier this month, he wrote in a letter to the editor, "I don't know why my rejoining the society, and my attempt with several other people, to help recruit even more like-minded members of the community and to bring public awareness to the group's need for new blood is being labeled as 'a coup,' a 'hostile takeover' or a 'personal vendetta.'"

On Tuesday, Ms. Acksen said Mr. Richard should focus on tourism.

"Tourism should be his main interest," she said. "He should be the tourism director, not the curator of the museum."

The Advocate raised the question with Ms. Acksen about the society's use of Deborah Davis as its treasurer, which has also been mentioned by critics.

Ms. Davis pleaded guilty several years ago to stealing more than $100,000 from an employer who owned a store on Sconticut Neck and paid restitution of $30,000.

Ms. Acksen said after Ms. Davis was charged, the society stopped using her as treasurer, giving the position to Nancy Perry. But Ms. Acksen said Ms. Davis was given the treasurer job back recently.

"We never had a problem with her," Ms. Acksen said, adding, "She's the treasurer for a lot of organizations."

The North Fairhaven Improvement Association has also used Ms. Davis as treasurer despite her past problems.

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